How to Help Your Child Love Reading!

Seven Tips:

1. Identify what kind of reading you want to enjoy. Believe it or not, people enjoy different kinds of reading. Some people do research, some people read to learn how to do things, and some people read in order to enjoy stories or poetry. Before anything else, figure out why you want to read.
2. Realize that there are countless types of reading materials. For example, if you want to read stories, keep in mind that there are many genres, like fantasy, sci-fi, romantic novels, creative nonfiction, etc. Don't decide you don't like reading just because you don't like one particular kind of book.
3. Note that, after you know what kind of reading appeals to you, you should try a variety of books and series in that category. Even within the same genre, there are a wide variety of books. For example, no one could say that the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats are the same, even though they are both poetry.
4. Remember, you will have trial and error. But, in the end, you'll slowly develop an interest in reading!
5. Go to your local library. Your tax dollars pay for the service and you can try out as many books as you would like for free (as long as you remember to return or renew them on time).
6. Create a good reading environment. Find a place that is quiet, well-lit, and comfortable. You can even make a reading nook in your room.
7. Try listening to music. For some people, this makes reading more pleasurable. Soft music (both in volume and type) is generally received better, but any type will do. It depends on what you like.
   

10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children of All Ages:

1. Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
2. Find the children's section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
3. Find out what your child is interested in, and help choose books that are related to his or her interests.
4. Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed; try a book swap.
5. If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
6. Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it.
7. Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations; they usually have good suggestions. For example: American Library Association, International Reading Association, Children's Book Guild.
8. Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
9. Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
10. Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!
     
    

I know I know, it's been a long time since I've posted anything.  I am going to do a better job at posting and keeping  you up to date on what's going on at the "Boutique." We have some great things we will be adding this year.  To kick off the year, we have already set up an affiliates program, you can check out all the details here.  We will also be adding wholesaling to the site in late January early February.

We have already added free desktop wallpapers and avatars.  We will be adding some premium desktops wallpapers and avatars for a small fee of $.99.  Homeschool and family oriented ringtones are in the works as well.  We are ecstatic about our new additions at Homeschool Boutique and would love to hear  your feedback on things you'd like to see in the future as well as things you like and dislike about what we have already.  Your feedback is essential and we love to hear it all - the good, bad, and the ugly.  Well, maybe not the ugly, but you know what I mean.

For such a long time, homeschooling has been know as weird, freaky, and just plain wacky.  We are on a mission to help dispel some of those crazy and yes, out dated myths about homeschoolers.  There are an estimated 2 million homeschoolers in the United States and growing about 7% a year on average.  Our homeschool community is growing by leaps and bounds and we are wanting to have products, not just curriculum, but products that represent us as a community.